Fan Festivals to be rolled out for first time at a WWC with Australia/New Zealand 2023
March 2 – FIFA is sticking with its Fan Festival format for this summer’s Women’s World Cup but has lengthened its name from ‘fest’ to ‘festival’.
FIFA
Disgraced Le Graet still looks set to be Infantino’s right hand man in Paris office
By Andrew Warshaw
March 1 – Disgraced former French FA president Noel Le Graet looks as if he will still be given carte blanche by FIFA to oversee its office in Paris despite being forced to resign over a series of allegations including sexual misconduct.
James Dostoyevsky: C’est à vomir
This is the tale of ‘The Old Man who can’t See’: a French autocrat, adorned with Napoleonic complexities, was handed his Waterloo by two women. At 81, after 12 years at the helm of French football, he resigned yesterday, only to assume a new assignment next week. You guessed it: at Infantino’s FIFA.
CAS sheds light on Yves-Bart decision. A win for sports law or a catastrophic failure by FIFA?
By Paul Nicholson
February 28 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), generally condemned by football’s stakeholders both privately and publicly for overturning the lifetime ban on former President of the Haitian Football Federation (FHF) Yves Jean-Bart for multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, has issued the reasoned arbitral award.
Messi and Argentina are the Best. FIFA’s awards say so as well
February 28 – Lionel Messi was named FIFA player of the year once again on Monday as Argentina scooped all the major men’s awards after winning a memorable World Cup final last December.
Panama complete WWC 2023 line up and are sixth Concacaf nation though to finals
February 23 – Panama became the sixth Concacaf nation to qualify for the Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand this summer with a 1-0 play-off win over Papua New Guinea in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Inter Rapidísimo joins sponsor roster for Women’s World Cup 2023
February 23 – Colombian logistics company Inter Rapidísimo has become an Official Supporter of the Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 tournament.
FIFA is failing Haitian sex abuse survivors, argue human rights bodies
February 22 – The public pressure on the annulling of the FIFA life ban on former Haiti Football Federation (FHF) president Yves Jean-Bart for sexual abuse offences has intensified with Human Rights Watch and the Army of Survivors issuing a damning statement saying that FIFA is failing sex abuse survivors.
News analysis: Can Infantino’s FIFA really deliver 45% revenue growth in new World Cup cycle?
By David Owen
February 22 – In matters of revenue, Sepp Blatter’s FIFA tended to under-promise and over-deliver.
FIFA Foundation releases $1m in aid for Turkish and Syrian earthquake victims
February 17 – The FIFA Foundation is to provide USD 1 million in emergency humanitarian aid following the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
FIFA consider CAS appeal over lifting of ban on alleged serial sex abuser Jean-Bart
February 17 – FIFA is considering lodging a rare appeal against the shock ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to lift the lifetime ban on Yves Jean-Bart, former president of the Haitian Football Federation (FHF).
England women want to wear OneLove armband but will FIFA bully them as well?
February 16 – England captain Leah Williamson wants the Lionesses to be able to wear the OneLove armband at the women’s World Cup in July.
Women’s World Cup Trophy to start its journey to Australia/New Zealand finals in Japan
February 16 – FIFA will start its Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour next week in Japan before arriving in Australia and New Zealand in June and touring all nine Women’s World Cup host cities before the start of the tournament on July 20.
FIFA awards Saudi Arabia rights to host 2023 Club World Cup
February 15 – Days after Real Madrid claimed the 2022 Club World Cup, Saudi Arabia has landed the hosting rights to the 2023 tournament, the first major FIFA tournament to be staged in the Arab Kingdom in the Gianni Infantino era.
Infantino awarded $600k bonus on top of $3.9m salary
February 15 – FIFA’s post-World Cup bonanza is also benefitting the organisation’s most senior personnel. President Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Samoura enjoyed bonuses in excess of $600,000 on top of their salaries and benefits.